The noise had died down a moment, as though the crowd were waiting to see what was going to happen. And there it was–quick, and sudden, and utterly unexpected.
The team of Sunrisers Hyderabad entered into this match with the knowledge that they were against one of the most performing teams this season, Rajasthan Royals. However, already during the initial overs, you could feel the change. It wasn’t loud at first. Two dot balls, half-here and half. Then, up came Praful Hinge, leaping in, his shoulders high, and things were different.
Hinge did not slide his way into his debut. He busted it open. His initial revelation was early, that type that halts batters and makes them look about. He hit again a couple of balls later. And like that, the first order of Rajasthan, who was usually so fluent, was uncertain. Gazes were exchanged among batter, a couple of deep breaths, even a shake of the head over the dugout. The time was lost. You could tell it in the stands.
In the other end, Shakib Hussain was not leaving anything behind. Shakib brought the squeeze, should Hinge bring the fire. His lines were narrow, nearly obstinate. No freebies, no set free. Each run was well deserved, each boundary a minor accomplishment as opposed to conquest. At the moment he picked up his wickets, it was not a surprise–it seemed to be natural. Rajasthan continued to attempt to rebuild, although the pressure never quite went away.
By midway, the Royals were trailing the game. Not drastically, but enough. Suffice the camp at Hyderabad to remain a while longer on their toes, applaud rather noisily. Now the chirping of the fielders, the energy jumping about. And the batters? They never really got under way as they are supposed to do.
This wasn’t just a bowling effort. It was a statement. Two newcomers, thrown into the deep end, the big end, against a side that has been scoring big this season. It was a rather surreal atmosphere, as though things were not meant to happen this way, and they did.
Off field, however, some other subplot was also quietly taking place. Brydon Carse who was to contribute in this stage of this tournament has been disqualified on the basis of injury. It is the type of disturbance that teams attempt to evade particularly during the season. But IPL seldom may be run smoothly.
As a reaction, Sunrisers Hyderabad have imported Dilshan Madushanka, a left arm pacer whose reputation precedes him. Madushanka is known to be a good striker with the new ball, who strikes early and that also with a different angle, both literally and tactically. Observations of the behaviour of the pitch during this match with a slight movement at the beginning, you can understand why the management tilted towards this direction.
The implications of this on SRH in the future.
This victory goes beyond two points. It reinvents the discussion concerning Sunrisers Hyderabad. A group that seemed to be lagging somewhat recently now suddenly seems alive, responsive, even somewhat unpredictable.
It is something about fresh faces that perform on debut, it elevates the whole group. You might have found it in the dugout, where the players were forwardly bending, cheering more than ever. And now, with Madushanka on the team, the bowling department begins to appear more pliant, more versatile.
Naturally, a single game does not make a season. But it can tilt it. And this, with its early successful penetrations, with its economic periods, with its feeling of mastery over a formidable foe, may be that break-even SRH were in need of.
